Was This Gasquet-Dimitrov 38-Stroke Rally The Best Point Of The 2012 French Open? [Video]

by Tom Gainey | June 1st, 2012, 6:34 pm

6 Comments

While John Isner and Paul-Henri Mathieu slugged it out for nearly six hours on Chatrier, neither player actually became physically ill or impaired during the match. Not like they did in the Richard Gasquet-Grigor Dimitrov contest out on Suzanne Lenglen Court.

In this battle of “Baby Feds”, BOTH players were suffering following an incredible 38-stroke rally nearly two hours into the match. Gasquet eventually won the point then threw up right after. While Dimitrov fell to the dirt in a full leg cramp.

“Yes, I vomited the banana I ate at 5 4,” admitted Gasquet who’ll play Tommy Haas Saturday. “The banana is still on Suzanne Lenglen Court. I was really feeling bad. But he was on the ground. He was even in a worse situation than I was.”

The point gave Gasquet the break and the game for 5-5. Credit to Dimitrov who was able to finish the match losing in four sets 57, 75, 62, 63.

“Yes, it was tough, because at 5 4, there was a very important point with many, many shots,” Gasquet added. “After that particular point, he was on the floor. I don’t know how many times we hit the ball in that rally, but it was extremely long. That was a good point for me, because it was two sets to Love for him. I was in a bad situation. So I saw that in the third set he was not playing as well. He had difficulties physically, and after that I was able to come back.”

But the point played between the two late in the second set might end up as the best of the tournament.

Nope. When I watched the point, I saw several opportunities for Gasquet to come in and put the ball away, but instead he backpedaled and the point went on. I don’t really blame him b/c this is on clay, not grass, but due to those few opportunities I don’t think you can call this the best point.